After he was drafted, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley didn’t waste any time showcasing his ... enthusiastic personality. His emotional outburst in honor of his deceased grandmother, telling the powers that be to “fine [him] later,” went viral. It endeared him to the fanbase immediately. It made NFL draft history.
Takk’s relationship with his grandmother motivated him in pursuit of his NFL dream, and it continued to motivate him once he arrived. You should go read Vaughn McClure’s piece about special Takk’s pre-game ritual, if you have a moment.
“When it was time to go out on the field for the last time after the coaches speak, I’d look at the picture, get emotional,” McKinley said.